By
Ken
M. Blomberg
"Common Questions"
It happens each fall. Just
about the time I have the truck packed for bird camp, the phone starts to ring a
bit more than normal. Every year, I
field questions on a variety of subjects, including training tips, pup’s first
hunting season, upland game birds.
While contemplating the most recent call, I thought I’d share a
couple with the readers of Kennel Talk.
Here are a few of the more popular questions I’ve received from folks
over the years. Many are repeated
time and time again, so they certainly deserve to be shared.
Q.
What makes a better hunting dog, a male, or a female?
A.
The one that is better suited for your needs depends on a couple of
factors. But keep in mind, neither
gender is better than the other. More
depends on your capabilities, than the dog’s.
As a general rule, due to their nature,
Q. Will
spaying, or neutering hurt a dog’s hunting ability?
A. No.
This “old wife’s tale” is unfounded.
Some dogs that have been “fixed” may gain weight and become less
effective, physically in the field, but that’s a diet issue.
The only real consequence of spaying, or neutering is sterility.
Q. My
pup’s only six months old. Can I
take him with on a pheasant-hunting trip? Is
he old enough to hunt this fall?
A. Absolutely.
But, only if you have done your job this past summer.
Has the pup been shot over? Has
he been exposed to birds? How about
his manners around other dogs? You’ll
have to take that all into consideration when you take your pup afield at that
early age. Over the years, I have
hunted over dogs as young as six months, with varying success.
It all depends on the dog’s early training process.
And
remember; never subject a young dog to the confusion and ciaos related to
opening weekend. Many young dogs
have been ruined for life by an overly eager owner.
Q.
What’s the best type of bird to use for gun dog training and what
should I expect to pay for them?
A.
Most trainers use three bird types for field training bird dogs.
Most popular, inexpensive and accessible are common barn pigeons.
Expect to pay $2-$5 depending on local demand.
Next in line are bobwhite quail, that cost anywhere from $3-$5 depending
on age and flight readiness. Finally,
some use pheasants, which are the most expensive at $8-$10 each.
Most trainers prefer not to use pheasants, for a couple of reasons, cost
being on top of the list. Also,
they can intimidate a young pup, which should be introduced to the world of game
birds with pigeons and quail. Remember
to obtain a DNR dog-training permit when using game birds (pigeon use exempt)
for training.
Q.
Isn’t training a bird dog too complicated and time-consuming for the
average hunter?
A.
No. The average hunter,
with fifteen to twenty minutes of spare time a day, can bring the best out of a
well-bred bird dog with proven parents. The
job of a gun dog owner is to work on field obedience while encouraging the
inherited instincts to surface.
Q.
My 1-½ year old dog is suddenly doing everything wrong.
What happened to him?
A.
Long recognized as the teen-aged years, a dog at 1½ years is testing
its master, trying to see what it can get away with. It’s now the time to go back to basics and let the dog
know, under no uncertain terms, who’s boss.
Don’t be discouraged and rest assured, it’s not uncommon for a dog at
this age to demonstrate this type of behavior.
Q.
What’s the best type of bedding for a dog kept outside during the
colder months?
A.
Kept in a draft-free environment, most hunting breeds can tolerate a
northern winter. Good bedding is a
must; with marsh hay a favorite by many. Marsh
hay holds up better and is less irritating than straw, or cedar bedding.
I prefer a layer of cedar shavings under a thick layer of fresh marsh
hay.